Hello guest, if you like this forum, why don't you register? https://fanrestore.com/member.php?action=register (December 14, 2021) x


Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Analog Audio Capture
#1
Hi all,

Have been battling with getting set up for lossless VHS captures using a JVC deck with a built in TBC. Tried with Virtualdub but couldn't get the audio to sync so moved on to AmarecTV which seems to work fine. I've been capturing without deinterlacing then using QTGMC in Avisynth and the results seem good.

The only problem is the audio is just too loud! It's clipping and causing distortion. I've turned the volume on laptop my line-in right down but it doesn't seem to help. Looking at the display on the VHS player, there's a volume level meter and it look's like it's maxing out all the time. The only problem is there doesn't seem to be a way to turn it down.

Just wondering if anyone else has encountered something like this before? I'm wondering whrther running to audio through some sort of mixer with the option to lower the signal gain before it got to the capture card would work?
Reply
Thanks given by:
#2
You could either get a proper audio interface, which would be advisable for quality and low audio distortion anyway, or you could see if you can find a so called "pad" to put in between the player and your capture input. They exist for XLR, but I'm not sure about whatever you use. eBay or aliexpress might have something either way.
Reply
Thanks given by: alexpeden2000
#3
My VHS player only has rca audio outputs, no balanced option. My friend has an old DJ mixer he said he could lend me to act as a go between so will try that first. I assume best so stay away from these cheap sound mixers I saw on Amazon? (one review mentions cutting off higher frequencies!)
Reply
Thanks given by:
#4
Does your capture device have any input settings? You may be able to reduce the incoming signal that way. I think I read somewhere that VHS outputs are occasionally a bit too 'robust' and they exceed the input range of the capture device. There's usually a trim pot for adjusting the level but I'd steer clear if you're not electronically inclined. It's definitely worth cleaning the heads though to improve the signal quality but again leave alone if not sure, it's easy to do it wrong and wreck the heads, there are lots of tutorials online.

Give your friend's mixer a go, that should do the job. It may be worth looking at a dedicated sound card/USB device if you plan to do a lot of capture work in the future.
Reply
Thanks given by: alexpeden2000
#5
Personally I would probably avoid mixers since they add a lot of components into the chain and each component is an extra potential source for distortion. I mean, they have EQs, various faders, sometimes effects etc, and the signal has to travel through all of them.

But your response gave me an idea: Why not just get an XLR pad if no other one exists and then use it with adapters? Should make no difference. There's also so called DI Boxes that can go between balanced and unbalanced, but I think that might as well be overkill for this simple purpose. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if something simple like adding some kind of resistor thingie could already do the job, but that's something to google.
Reply
Thanks given by:
#6
If Alex has but a few tapes he wants captured then the mixer will do the job (and costs nothing). If EQ turns out to be a problem then some test tones can be run through it to get a flat response
Reply
Thanks given by:


Possibly Related Threads…
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
Question Need OG analog cap artists to help me solve this noise issue Bilbofett 12 1,118 2024-09-25, 11:46 PM
Last Post: Bilbofett
  Laserdisc PCM Capture Guide bronan 139 68,167 2024-07-28, 08:29 PM
Last Post: zoidberg
  Go-to method for VHS capture Kreeep 11 3,835 2024-05-24, 03:47 PM
Last Post: bronan
  How to rip UHD audio for comparison captainsolo 9 3,448 2023-11-24, 04:38 PM
Last Post: borisanddoris
  Locations List of people willing to assist with bit-perfect LD audio capture jerryshadoe 46 42,783 2023-09-03, 01:07 AM
Last Post: onlysleeping23
  Viability of cheap VHS capture Feallan 248 205,986 2021-08-02, 05:51 PM
Last Post: crissrudd4554
  Laserdisc capture - general thread willie1959 69 49,799 2021-03-08, 06:53 PM
Last Post: pipefan413
  Sync problems during analog capture? BusterD 13 9,906 2021-02-19, 07:17 PM
Last Post: BusterD
  4K Capture Card Recommendations. PDB 1 2,712 2021-01-19, 06:20 AM
Last Post: usagi
  multichannel audio capture card ≥ 4 line in spoRv 4 4,533 2020-12-17, 08:02 AM
Last Post: deleted user

Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)